SMALLTHORNE: Cash-strapped Joseph Wilkinson stole booze from Tesco - after being hit by a benefits delay.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the 24-year-old had no money while he was transferred from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit.

He was caught on CCTV at Tesco, in Hanley, taking a bottle of Grant’s Whisky and hiding it in his jacket before leaving. He went back to the store later that same day, June 6.

Prosecutor Lynne Warrington said: “He was recognised from the CCTV by a security officer who watched him as he took a bottle of Southern Comfort and concealed it. He was stopped and it was recovered.”

Joseph Wilkinson pleaded guilty to stealing from Tesco

Wilkinson, of Baden Road, Smallthorne, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft which put him in breach of a previous conditional discharge.

Rebecca Dulson, mitigating, said: “The defendant was in rent arrears. You will be aware of the difficulties individuals have been facing recently with benefit claims. He had to wait a significant period of time before his Universal Credit was up and running.”

Council benefit cheat did not declare £7,109 overpayment

The 59-year-old did not tell Stoke-on-Trent City Council that he had more cash coming in than he did when he originally made his benefit claim.

The fraud took place between November 2011 and May 2017.

Prosecutor Stuart Quinn told North Staffordshire Justice Centre: “Had he declared the increase in earnings he would not have received the amount of housing benefit he did.”

Fageer, of Joanhurst Crescent, Shelton, was found guilty of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting his entitlement to benefits following a trial on June 11. A probation officer said he claimed he did not know he needed to let the council know about the change, but now accepted it was his responsibility to do so.

He received a 12-month community order with 120 hours unpaid work. He must pay £620 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Hanley motorist caught drink-driving - for a SECOND time

HANLEY: Drink-driver Tracy Kelly-Smith was more than three times the legal limit when she was stopped by police.

Officers located the 47-year-old’s Audi A3 after receiving a tip-off from a member of the public and saw her drive to her house in Warrington Road, Hanley.

Kelly-Smith failed a roadside breath test and later gave an alcohol reading of 114 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.

She pleaded guilty to drink-driving. She has a 2009 conviction for the same offence.

Iain Haley, mitigating, said Kelly-Smith had been using alcohol as a coping mechanism. He added: “She is extremely sorry and remorseful.”

Magistrates handed Kelly-Smith a 12-month community order with a six-month alcohol treatment requirement and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement. She was fined £100 and ordered to pay £135 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge. A four-year driving ban was imposed, which will be reduced if she completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

Blythe Bridge man had snooker ball in a sock

BLYTHE BRIDGE: A 27-year-old man has admitted a weapons charge.

Nathan Grattage, of Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, pleaded guilty to having an offensive weapon – a snooker ball in a sock – in Longton on April 30.

Grattage pleaded guilty at North Staffordshire Justice Centre and the case was adjourned until August 13 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

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